Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-07-28
DAILY HERALD.
THE ELAN KILLING.
The Defendant Upon the
Witness Stand.
HIS VERSION OF THE AFFAIR.

Naneuver's Of Elam's Pet Snake.
and the Other Members of
His Menagerie.
The Bodkin trial was resumed yes
terday morning before Judge Cheney
and a jury. Joseph Ferguson and j.
A. Pfeir were placed upon the stand
but nothing new was elected.
Viola Elan, sister OF the deceased,
next testified as follows: Elam had a
pet rattlesnake and wildcat. The
snake killed coyote, and the Wild
cat hung himself.
J. ID. Maxwell, the next witness,
stated that he had lived at Orange for
four years. Knew Elam since 1884.
Considered him a man of very vio-
lent temper. had some trouble with
Elam in 1884. He wanted to borrow
something of me and l refused to loan
it. He swore and threatened to whip
me. was on my own land and re-
piled, II guess not" l have seen
him knock his horse down with a blow
from a singletree. He was strong
man fully six feet in height and very
active. / have known Bodkin for a
long time and have always heard him
spoken of as peaceful and quiet
citizen. don't believe he could make
much of a fight. He suffered from
asthma and at one time thought he
was dying.
BODKINs' TESTIMONY.
The next witness called was j. j.
Bodkin, the defendant. He gave his
testimony in a straightforward man.
ner. impressing his hearers with the
truth Of HIS statements. 81 have re-
sided in this county twelve years,
began the defendant, "the greater part
of which time l have taught school.
First became acquainted with Elam in
1884. Met him first walking along the
road and invited him to ride. He said
he was looking for land to buy, and
was also teacher. took an interest
in him and invited him to my house.
He came to my house the next day.
Staid there until May. Then went to
hoard with his sisters. Had business
transactions with Elam. Worked to-
gether, The first trouble we had was
when he had a dispute with my wife
about the dog. However, was friendly
with him until January, 1886. He
claimed / was in his debt. We figured
the matter up, and l found he owed
me about $40, but l was willing to call
if square and be friends. After that
1 was annoyed by his stock getting
loose and coming on my land. l spoke
to him about it, and he said very little.
l used to take his stock and return
them to him. at one time took his
horse and COW and tied them up at
my house. He came and got them.
l did not go out because | was afraid
Of him, as he appeared quite angry.
One tine l told him my family
were dependent upon my crops for
their bread, and that he must take
care of his stock. He got mad and
said his Irish was up, and he was
going to lick me. crossed the ditch ;
he stood on the other side and swore
ut me. l drove his calves out of my
vineyard several times, and finally
went to Glassell and Patton, of whom
/ rented, and asked permission to put
n fence around it, but they would not
allow me to do so. At one time |
sent note by my little girl about his
stock. In about five minutes Viola
Elan brought back the same note, en-
dorsed: "You go to hell, and tell the
devil l sent him hog" A few days
afterwards went out with my gun to
hunt rabbits, and found his stock on
ditch on his land. He soon came out
and drove them back. then brought
suit. 1t was settled by Elam's pay
ing all the costs and one-half of my
attorneys fees.
The next trouble was one morning
while l was cultivating in my vine
yard. Elam rode up and commenced
to abuse me, and said he wanted to
settle that matter right there. said
thought it was settled. He said,
mot by id sight" He began to
get angry, and l tried to get away,
when he jumped his horse across the
ditch, and said was not going to get
away from him in that way.
lie tried to run over me. l then
started for the house and he rode
alongside of me cursing all the while.
Before we got to the house he rode
away and l was afraid to go out into
the vineyard again.
The Court then took a recess until
after noon.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Court met at 2 o'clock, and J.
ID. Matthews was recalled and testi-
fed as follows:
Have known Bodkin about five or
six years. He used to teach school.
1 own some land at Orange, near Bod
kin's place. LEASED my place to Mr..
Bodkin.
Witness recognized two letters writ
ten to him by Bodkin. The defense
offered them in evidence and the
prosecution objected, and the Court
sustained the objection.
The letters objected to were written
by Bodkin to witness and mentioned
the depredations committed by Elan
during his absence. They referred to
the pulling down of the wire fence
and the firing of the shots into the
house. They also stated that the
pulling up of the fence freed Bodkin's
colt, Ben Butler, who went down to
neighbor's pasturage and killed a
valuable heiter.
The Court ordered that the
clerk keep the letters in
his exclusive possessions.
The witness continuing: "Mr.
Bodkin visited me at my house. Saw
Bodkin in June OF last year at San
Juan. Mr.. Bodkin's health was very
poor. He was suffering from asthma.
John u. Moran was next examined.
Have lived in Los Angeles all my life
time KnOW Rodkin He called ut